Gary Chan
CISO
SSM Health
Gary S. Chan has 20 years of experience leading teams in information security and anti-identity fraud for both large and medium-cap companies. He is known for performing security-themed magic shows as keynotes at large conferences and corporate events.
Gary was President of the FBI St. Louis Citizens Academy Alumni Association and has been based out of Asia, Europe, and the U.S. He holds four security certifications and a degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from MIT.
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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
My passion for understanding how things work helps me find gaps in systems. That naturally led me to a career in security, because finding gaps is exactly what security people do. I’ve been fortunate to have had amazing mentors and fantastic job opportunities throughout my career.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Open, transparent dialogue is key. I believe most issues can be resolved or prevented through direct communication, and building a strong team relies on encouraging this type of behavior.
What is the greatest challenge security leaders face today, and how are you addressing it?
The pace of change is my biggest challenge. In today’s fast-moving world, prioritizing what truly matters is crucial. It’s tough, but focusing on doing a few things well, rather than spreading ourselves too thin, is the best way to drive impact.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?
Learn from others in your organization, but be strategic about it. Your team can help you understand their work and priorities, while peers can teach you about decision-making dynamics for approvals from your manager. Focus on learning the key lessons from each group rather than try to absorb everything from everyone.
How do you measure success as a leader?
Success for me is measured by the trust others place in my decisions. When I make a tough call, the response I receive, whether it’s a request for clarification or a knee-jerk negative rejection, reflects the level of trust others have in me.
What is the value of being a member of the Evanta community?
To meet peers and learn from them.
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